Two other passengers are in serious but stable condition — one at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital in Sydney and one at a Halifax hospital. The commercial tour bus they were on went off the road Sunday afternoon approximately three kilometres south of Neils Harbour on the Cabot Trail.

A total of 21 people were on board including the driver. The bus involved is owned by Executive Coach Inc., a charter bus company based in Lancaster, Pa.

"All people were believed to be from the Lancaster, Pa. area on a tour of Nova Scotia, (including) the Cabot Trail and then back to the U.S.," said MacRae."We did receive calls from the U.S. Consulate (stating) if any of those people need assistance they can contact their U.S. Consulate in Halifax."

Lynn Gilbert, spokesperson with the Cape Breton District Health Authority, said Monday that they treated 18 people involved in the accident at two island hospitals.

In addition to the three most seriously injured, 10 other people were treated for for non-life-threatening injuries at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital. At Buchanan Memorial Community Health Centre in Neils Harbour, five people were treated for non-life threatening injuries — one of whom remains in hospital at that site.

MacRae said their investigation is continuing.

"The cause of the crash is still under investigation but the mechanical inspection is being done (today)," he said.

MacRae did not have any information about where the passengers who have been released from hospital are now.

When contacted Monday morning, a woman who answered the phone at Executive Coach Inc. said the company had no comment, but later in the afternoon said the company would be issuing a statement.